Changeable-key lock.



w. REES.

OHANGEABLE KEY LOOK.

APPLICATION IILSD D110. 20, 1909. v v 988,663. Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

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W. REES.

OHANGEABLE KEY LOOK. APPLICATION mum nno. 20,1900.

988,663,. Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

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UHANGEABLE KEY LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED 111:0. a0, 1909.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

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WALTER REES, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CHANGEABLE-KEY LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4, 1911.

Application filed. December 20, 1909. Serial No. 534,071.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER Runs, of Philadelphia, in the State ofPennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inChangeable-Key Locks, whereof the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

It is the usual practice of lessors of safety deposit boxes to providethem with locks which may be opened with keys furnished to the lessees,and, upon the termination of the lease of a given box to provide it witha new look to insure that the former lessee has not a duplicate key withwhich the box may be opened after it has been leased to another person.My invention may be advantageously employed to obviate the necessity ofproviding new locks under such circumstances, although my invention isnot limited to such use.

As hereinafter described, my invention includes a lock of the Yale typehaving a single rotatory plug arranged to normally eooperate with a mainseries of radially reciprocatory pin tumblers but having an auxiliaryseries of pin tumblers including unit sections each as long as theminimum difference in depth of the notches in different keys. Anadjustable detent, normally limits the extent of turning movement ofsaid plug so that only the main series of pin tumblers are utilized inconnection with the key, but

' said detent may be manually disengaged so as to permit said plug to beturned into registry with the auxiliary set of tumblers. Said plug beingturned with the normal key to register with said auxiliary set oftumblers, said key may be then withdrawn, and, a new key with differentnotches being inserted in said plug, itsnotches are filled with the unitdivisions of the auxiliary pin tumblers to the radial extent of theplug, and the latter being returned to the normal position and thedetent replaced, the lock is thus set for operation by said new key,which then becomes the normal key. It is to be understood that thenumber of different keys to which such a lock may be thus set is onlylimited by the permutability of the tumbler divisions.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction andarrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In said drawings :Figure I is a front view of a lock convenientlyembodying my invention. Fig. II is a side view of said lock. Fig. III isa view similar to Fig. I, but omitting the face plate and showing thetumbler sockets in section. Fig. IV is a sectional view, taken on theline IV, IV in Figs. II and III. Fig. V is a sectional view taken on theline V, V, in Figs. I, III and IV. Fig. VI is a view similar to Fig.III, but showing a modified form of the invention. Fig. VII is asectional view, taken on the line VII, VII in Fig. VI. Fig. VIII is aview similar to Fig. III, but showing a modified form of the invention.

Referring to Figs. I to V inclusive; the lock casing 1, has theremovable face plate 2 detachably connected therewith by the screws 3shown in Fig. I, which engage the threaded lugs 1 shown in Fig. III. Therotary plug 5 having the keyway 6 for the key 7, and the series ofradial pin tumbler sockets 8, is journalcd at its rear end in thebearing 9 in said casing 1, and at its front end in the bearing 10 ofsaid face plate 2. The circumferential flange 12, on said plug 5 bearsagainst the face plate 2 and maintains said plug in proper longitudinalposition in said casing. Adjoining its rear end, said plug 5 has therectangular shoulder 13 which fits the corresponding opening 14 in thecam 15 which extends in the recess 16 in the shank 18 of the lock bolt20; the arrangement being such that when said plug 5 is turned in eitherdirection it effects corresponding movement of said bolt 20, the latterbeing shown in locked position in Figs. I, III and IV. The pin tumblersections 21 in the rotary plug 5 are rounded at their inner ends so asto readily slip into and out of the angular notches 22 in the keys. Thelength of each of said tumbler sections 21 equals the radial thicknessof said rotary'plug 5 beyond the keyway 6, and, the extent of saidsockets 8 radially beyond said tumbler sections 21 is filled by the unitpin tumbler sections 24 which are each as long as the minimum differencein depth of the key notches 22. As shown in Fig. V, said tumbler sockets8 are filled to the radial extentof the plug 5 with different numbers ofsaid unit pin tumbler sections 24, in accordance with the differentdepths of the key notches 22. Said shank 18 of the lock bolt 20 isfitted to reciprocate in the recess 26 in the tumbler frame 27 and hasthe series of pin tumbler bearings 28 which register with said sockets 8in the plug 5 and with the main series of tumbler sockets 29 in saidframe 27, when said bolt is in locked position as shown in Figs. HI andV. Said sockets 29 contain pin tumbler driver sections 31, ,which arepressed toward the rotary plug 6 by respective springs 32 so that whenthe proper key 7 is inserted in the keyway 6 as shown, the tumblersections 33 which extend in the bearings 28 of' the bolt shank 18 andare co-extensive with the thickness of the latter, do not project fromsaid shank, and the latter may be shifted back and forth by the cam 15on said rotary plug 5, as the latter is turned by the key. However, whenthe key is withdrawn with the bolt in said locked position; said springs32 shift the pin tumblers toward the plug 5, to engage the bolt shank 18in the frame 27 and prevent its unlocking movement. Thereafter, it isimpossible to unlock the bolt 20, except when the proper key 7 isinserted in the keyway 6 of the rotary bolt 5; because a key havingdifferent notches causes the tumbler sections 33 to project from thebolt shank 18 and engage said frame 27.

The unlocking movement of the lock bolt 20, in the direction of thearrow shown in Fig. III, is normally limited by the detent 35, which isconveniently a lever fulcrumed on the stud 36 and having the handle 37extendin through the slot 38 in the casing 1. Said detent 35 beingprovided with the spring 40 is normally automatically maintained in theposition shown in Fig. 111, to so limit the unlocking movement of saidbolt 20 that the rotary plug 5 cannot be turned to present its tumblersockets 8, in registry with the auxiliary series of tumbler sockets 41which extend in said frame 27 in radial relation with said plug 5 andconveniently at right angles to said main series of tumbler sockets 29.However, said handle 37 extending through the slot 38 in said casing 1,is accessible from the interior of the structure to which the lock isapplied, so that said detent 35 may be manually raised to present itsrecess 42 opposite to the recess 26 in the tumbler frame 27 and thuspermit the lock bolt 20 to be withdrawn to the abnormal extent of theunlocking movement necessary to present the sockets 8 in the rotary plug5 in registry with said auxiliary series of tumbler sockets 41, whichcontain unit pin tumbler sections 24 and springs 43, which press themradially toward said plug 5 so that the sockets 8 of the plug 5 may befilled to the radial extent thereof when presented in registrytherewith, with any key having notches 22 of depths measured by the unitlength of said tumbler sections 24, and the lock be thus set foroperation by any such key regardless of the difference in depth ofnotches of the different keys.

Referring to Fig. III it may be observed that when the deepest notches22 in the key 7 permit the sections 21 to assume their innermostposition, but three sections 24 are required to fill the sockets 8 tothe radial extent of the plug. However, four such unit tumbler sectionsare provided for each notch in the key 7; the extra ones alwaysremaining in the auxiliary sockets 41, as drivers for the othersections, under pressure of said springs 43.

The form of my invention above described operates as follows :The "lockbeing set for the key 7 to present the tumblers 33 in the position shownin Fig. V; the bolt 20 may be unlocked and locked by turning the rotaryplug 5 with said. key to the extent per-' mitted by the movable detent35, and, when said key 7 is withdrawn, with said bolt 20 in the lockedposition shown in Figs. III and V, the tumbler sections 33 are drivenradially toward the plug 5 by the'springs 32, so as to project from thebolt shank 18 into the tumbler frame 27 and thus prevent movement ofsaid bolt 20 in either direction. However, said pin tumbler sections 33are,

of course, restored to the position shown in Figs. H1 and V, wheneversaid key 7 is inserted, and then permit said bolt to be unlocked. Itbeing desired to set said lock to be operated by a new key, havingnotches 22 differing from those of the key 7; the latter being insertedas shown, and the detent 35 being raised, the rotary plug 5 is turned topresent its sockets 8 in registry with the sockets 41 of the auxiliaryseries. Said key 7 is then withdrawn and, the new key being insertedwith the sockets 8 of said plug 5 in registry with the auxiliary sockets41,

the different notches 22 of the key are filled with the tumbler sections21 and suflicient of the unit sections 24, to the radial extent of saidsockets 8 in said plug 5. It is to be understood that said unit sections24 may thus be taken from or restored in the auxiliary sockets 41. Saidplug may then be returned to the locked position shown in Figs. III andV, thus permitting the detent 35 to be returned by the spring 40 to itsnormal position shown in Fig. HI, and, thereafter, the lock may only beoperated by the new key, until set for a-notherkey.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. VI and VII, the lock casing44, which is similar to the lock casing 1 above described, is providedwith the face plate 45 similar to the face plate 2 above described, butthe lock bolt 46 differs from the lock bolt 20 aforesaid, in that itsshank 47 is provided with the lug 48 adapted to fit within the recesses49 of the pivoted tumblers 50 which are mounted to oscillate on theshaft 51 and respectively provided with springs 52 which press them uponthe pin tumbler sections 53in the main series of tumbler sockets 54 inthe tumbler frame 55, so as to press said tumbler sections 53 radiallytoward the rotary plug 56 which is constructed and arranged like theplug 5 above described, having the tumbler sockets 57 adapted toregister with said sockets 54, or with the auxiliary series of sockets59 in said frame 55. In this form of my invention the unlocking movementof the bolt 46 is normally limited by the detent 61 which is areciprocatory plunger having the handle 62 projecting through the slot63 in said casing 51, and, the spring 65 which normally presents saiddetent in the path of the shank 47 of said bolt 46, as shown in Fig. VI.It is to be understood that when it is desired to set this look for anew key said detent may be manually lowered to permit the necessaryextension of the unlocking movement of said bolt.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. VIII; the lock casing 71 issimilar to and provided with a face plate like the other casings abovedescribed, but the lock bolt 73 has a bifurcated shank comprisingopposite members 74 and 75 which embrace the tumbler frame 76. Saidshank member 74 has the series of main tumbler sockets 78 containingsprings 7 9 and tumbler sections 80, and adapted to register with theturnbler sockets 81 in said frame 7 (5, in which the tumbler sections 82reciprocate. The rotary plug 83, which is like the other plugs abovedescribed and includes a series of pin tumbler sockets 84, containinginner tumbler sections 85 and unit tumbler sections 86, is arranged tobe turned to register with said sockets 81, or with the auxiliarysockets 87 containing the springs 88 and auxiliary unit pin tumblersections 86 which are utilized in the manner above described withreference to the form of my invention shown in Figs. I to V inclusive.

I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of constructionand arrangement herein shown as it is obvious that various modificationswill be made therein without departing from the essential features of myinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a lock, the combination with a rotary plug having akeyway, and a single straight series of radial pin tumbler sockets; of acasing having two straight series of radial pin tumbler sockets,arranged to respectively register with the sockets in said plug, indifferent rotary positions of the latter; pin tumblers in said sockets;springs thrusting said tumblers toward said plug; a pivoted detentarranged to limit the rotary move ment of said plug to register with butone or both of said series of easing sockets in accordance with theposition of said detent, and, a spring presenting said detent inposition to limit the rotation of said plug to register with but one ofsaid series of easing sockets.

2. In a lock, the combination with a rotary plug having a keyway, and asingle straight series of radial pin tumbler sockets; of a casing havingtwo straight series of radial pin tumbler sockets, arranged torespectively register with the sockets in said plug, in different rotarypositions of the latter; pin tumblers in said sockets; springs thrustingsaid tumblers toward said plug; and, a detent arranged to limit therotary movement of said plug to register with but one or both of saidseries of easing sockets in accordance with the position of said detent.

3. In a lock, the combination with a rotary plug having a keyway, and aradial pin tumbler socket; of a casing having two radial pin tumblersockets, arranged to re spectively register with the socket in saidplug, in different rotary positions of the latter; pin tumblers in saidsockets; resilient means thrusting said tumblers toward said plug; and,a detent arranged to limit the rotary movement of said plug to re isterwith but one or both of said casing sockets, in accordance with theposition of said detent.

4. In a lock, the combination with two series of tumblers; of a rotaryplug having a keyway, arranged to alternately cooperate with both ofsaid series of tumblers; and, a detent movable to render one of saidseries of tumblers inoperative.

5. In a lock, the combination With a rotary plug having a keyway, and asingle straight series of radial pin tumbler sockets; of a slide bolthaving a single straight series of pin tumbler sockets; a casing havingtwo straight series of radial pin tumbler sockets, arranged torespectively register with the sockets in said plug in different rotarypositions of the latter; pin tumbler sections carried in and coextensivewith the sockets in said slide bolt; and changeable pin tumblers in thesockets in said plug.

6. In a lock, the combination with a rotary plug having a keyway, and asingle straight series of radial pin tumbler sockets; of a slide bolthaving a single straight series of pin tumbler sockets; a casing havingtwo straight series of radial pin tumbler sockets, arranged torespectively register with the m s m E W m N R N a E w w m m d A M w Wm. n IR .1 A m P W .N w m R W HT m AG 7 t m W mow .v v1 O- wm m y P m .ie ymtww r od c 6 all 0 m m m mwfi hp mnm m e di d E 3 .1n S l d fl mm.m.m1 m M .7 a r mw w e; 6 P y m mh p mm S66 nm fi b Sm s flnmw m m mio mmm oam hhnw stlcs s 5 Copies of this patent may be obtained for fivecents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

